Tricolour Painted Brake Fern

Tricolour Painted Brake Fern (Pteris aspericaulis 'Tricolour') is a glossy, deeply lobed fern whose new fronds emerge a rich copper, so metallic that they look painted. It grows to about 0.8m high and 0.6m wide, and the colour mellows to green as the fronds age. It is an easy houseplant and a standout in a warm, shady nook.

Why you'll love it

• Copper new growth. Young fronds are strongly tinted copper and look almost metallic, a colour you rarely see in a fern.
• Glossy, deeply lobed fronds. The cut shape and the shine give the plant presence even after the colour has faded to green.
• A two-tone display. New copper growth over older green fronds means the plant shows more than one colour at the same time.
• An easy houseplant. It copes well with indoor conditions, provided it stays warm, humid and out of direct sun.
• Compact for its impact. At up to 0.8m by 0.6m it fits a pot, a shaded niche or a rockery pocket.

Where it works best

Shady garden nooks. Tuck it into a wall crevice or rockery pocket in shade, where drainage is sharp and the fronds catch humid air. Plant 50cm apart if you are making a group.

Pots and indoor spaces. Grow it in a bright room out of direct sun, or on a warm, shaded verandah. Keep the mix moist and the crown above the surface.

Underplanting. Beneath trees and taller shrubs in a warm garden, it adds colour to a shaded floor.

Terrariums. Young plants suit terrariums and indoor gardens, where the copper new growth is easy to enjoy up close.

Growing Tricolour Painted Brake Fern in Australia

Position and climate. Shade to dappled light, in a warm, humid spot. Protect it from frost and keep it warm, which makes it a plant for tropical and subtropical gardens. In cooler districts grow it in a pot and keep it indoors or under cover through winter.

Soil. Plant carefully so the crown sits above the soil line, in a well drained mix, and avoid wet feet. In a wall or rockery it does best where the roots stay on the dry side and the fronds can take up humidity.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, then keep the plant moist through dry periods. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring and a liquid fertiliser every 4 weeks in the warmer months, at half the recommended strength to avoid burn.

Pruning. Remove old fronds to keep the plant fresh and to limit disease. Re-pot only if a container plant has outgrown its pot.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Tricolour Painted Brake Fern as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small plant with a handful of fronds, and expect its colour to vary with the age of the foliage, the light and the individual plant. Unpack promptly, water it in and keep it in warm, humid shade while it settles.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Ferns for shady areas
• Low light indoor plants for bright and dim rooms
• Shade gardening in Australia: what to plant where
• Palms, ferns and tropical plants

Common questions

Why are the new leaves copper?

Copper is the natural colour of young Tricolour fronds. As they age they mature to green, and a healthy plant keeps producing fresh copper growth.

Can I grow it outdoors?

Yes, in warm, humid, frost free gardens, in shade. In cooler districts it is better as a pot plant that you can bring indoors, because it needs protection from frost.

How much light does it need?

Bright, indirect light indoors, or dappled shade outdoors. Strong direct sun can bleach and scorch the fronds.